Run The Jewels release 'RTJ4' early as free download to align with BLM protests, fans call it album of the year
The popular hip-hop duo Run the Jewels aka RTJ recently released their new album 'RJT4' two days ahead of schedule. The followup to 'Run The Jewels 3' had been slated to drop on June 5, but RTJ members Killer Mike and El-P decided to release it for free on their website on Wednesday, June 3, given the current state of affairs in the world. They accompanied it with the statement, “F**k it, why wait? The world is infested with bulls**t so here’s something raw to listen to while you deal with it all. We hope it brings you some joy.” The scintillating duo added, “Stay safe and hopeful out there, and thank you for giving 2 friends the chance to be heard and do what they love.” They also encouraged their fans to contribute to the National Lawyers Guild Mass Defense Fund even though the album did not cost anything.
Prior to the album's release, Run the Jewels’ Killer Mike had delivered a moving and emotional speech to Black Lives Matter protestors in Atlanta in the wake of George Floyd's death. He said, “I’m mad as hell. I woke up wanting to see the world burn yesterday, because I’m tired of seeing black men die. He casually put his knee on a human being’s neck for nine minutes as he died like a zebra in the clutch of a lion’s jaw.” He also added, "We don’t want to see targets burning, we want to see the system that sets up for systemic racism burnt to the ground," before signing off with "Now is the time to plot, plan, strategize, organize, and mobilize," reports Rolling Stone.
Following that, his bandmate El-P had this to say about their new 'RTJ4' album: "I don’t have s**t left to say right now that me and my brother @killermike don’t express on this album so I’m not saying shit anymore til then. On it is all our joy, humor, friendship, and rage. We got bangers to help you lose yourself and smile and we got shit that comes from the deepest places in our hearts." El-P also added, "It will be made available for FREE for ANYONE who wants some music. For me, this is the only way I really know how to contribute to the human struggle and experience beyond just trying to be kind and aware and grow. It’s the only weapon I’m truly trained in and I’m grateful to have it."
Now that the album is out, critics and fans have been raving about it on social media. The album contains guest appearances from stars like Zack de la Rocha, Mavis Staple, Josh Homme, Pharrell Williams, and DJ Premier, and has already been gathering steam thanks to singles like 'Yankee and the Brave (Ep. 4)' and 'Ooh LA LA'. One song on the album in particular, which seems remarkably prophetic in nature is the song 'Walking In The Snow', which contains the lyrics "You so numb you watch the cops choke out a man like me / Until my voice goes from a shriek to whisper - ‘I can’t breathe’ / And you sit there in the house on couch and watch it on TV."
Although the duo recorded it in 2019 about Eric Garner's death in 2014, the eerie parallels to George Floyd's killing have not gone unnoticed, with fans hailing them as prescient prophets. "This lyric dropped my jaw on the floor and left it there," said one gobsmacked fan, while another pointed out, "'How did they predict the future?' ask the people that don't realize all they've had to do was describe the present and past."
Another fan wrote, "'Run the Jewels 4' is incredible. It's a 40 minute raw slap in the face with incredible production from El-P, and so many fantastic verses from both emcees. Killer Mike flows his a** off throughout the whole album. And more importantly, El-P and Killer Mike take on the system with their lyrics. They've always been socially conscious and progressive, and we needed that more than ever now." An amazed listener posted - "Album of the year for me, best rap album I've heard in years." Others agreed, saying "Yeah man it's my AOTY too. Unbelievably good."
Another twitter user exclaimed, "It would've been album-of-the-year material even if it didn't perfectly describe the particular strata of hell we're all currently occupying at this very minute, but it does that too." As an ardent fan concluded, "Mad underrated group. It's a shame that mumble rap is at the forefront of hip-hop instead of artists who actually have something intelligent to say."
